It’s loud out there, isn’t it? There’s information firing at you from all directions. Everyone has an opinion about what you should or shouldn’t be doing. The best business model for coaches. The best way to stand out from the crowd. The best way to optimise your health, your money, your mornings.

All that noise – whether you’re consuming it consciously, or just seeing it in your periphery – makes it noisy in your noggin too, with not-always-helpful thoughts clamouring for attention.

What we do in Make It Happen Club isn’t rocket science: We meet once a quarter and once a month to create spacious, flexible, achievable plans that will help you stay focused and get stuff done. But it can be hard to wrap your head around if you haven’t experienced it first-hand. So today, I’m going to address what I know you might be thinking, but don’t want to ask! 😉

When you’re growing your business there are a million and one things you could be doing aren’t there? It’s no wonder so many solo business owners feel like they’re not doing enough, no matter how much time they spend at their desk. Sound familiar? Read on to find out how Make It Happen Club will make you more productive.

Do you ever look at the people who are where you want to be in your business and wonder what they’re doing to succeed? You’re pretty sure they’re no smarter than you are, so what is it that makes them different?

I love New Years’ Day way more than New Years’ Eve. I’m very rarely awake when the clock strikes midnight, but always look forward to the clean slate feeling as January 1st rolls around.

For the first time ever, I thought I’d share some of what came up for me as I reflected on everything that’s happened over the last 12 months.

When you run your own business and work from home, it’s all too easy to be checking emails and responding to LinkedIn connections late into the evening. If you don’t want to work in the evenings, and doing so is causing problems – whether that’s not being fully present with your partner or family, or finding it hard to sleep at night – I have a suggestion that might help.

My new definition of productivity is all about getting the important things done efficiently so we can create space for what we love. It’s about letting go of busy work, focusing instead on the activities that are actually going to move the needle for you and your business. But how do you know what’s important?

When it comes to getting stuff done, there are so many tools, tricks, hacks, planners and systems out there, all promising to turbocharge your productivity, it’s no wonder many business owners are convinced that if they haven’t got this nailed yet, it must mean there’s something wrong with them.

Well, I’m not having that! Not on my watch!

Ever wondered what it would be like to work with me one-to-one? You’re in luck! I’m here to give you the full lowdown! 

Read on to find out what In It Together is all about, who it’s for, the problems it can solve, and what happens when we work together. 

If you’re anything like me you might also want to know the cost, so I’ve included the investment too. You’re welcome.

Yesterday I caught myself doing something that I suspect you might do too:

Procrastinating by doing something that FEELS useful. But actually, isn't.

(Not to be confused with procrastifaffing, which we all KNOW isn't useful 😉)

Here’s my audio confession. And a challenge for you, if you catch yourself doing this too!

When you’re switching off from work and getting ready to navigate the festivities, it’s easy to get in a fluster about the things we didn’t get done and the things we need to do next. To worry about getting stuck in Christmas Eve traffic or making sure your family has the perfect day.

I blame school.

All that focus on becoming slightly less terrible at the subjects that don’t come easily to us.

Can you imagine what might have happened if instead of working so hard on our ‘weaknesses’, we’d been encouraged to focus on getting even better at the subjects we were naturally brilliant at?

I’m often asked what people should do when they’re deep in overwhelm, with too much on their plate and a to-do list whirling around in their head like a Tasmanian Devil.

My answer? Pause. Take a break. Slow down.

Do you have ideas bouncing around your head morning, noon and night?

So does magician and entrepreneur Paul Newton, which is why I was excited to be invited onto his brilliant podcast, Newton's Nuggets.

We had a great conversation about how creative people can get the important stuff done, so if you sometimes feel a bit all over the place this one's for you.

If you’ve got scraps of paper all over the place with ideas, notes, things to think about, shopping reminders, and actual work-stuff that needs to be done to, you know, run your business...

And if you ALSO know that’s not exactly sustainable. And no matter how many tools, proven systems, processes you try… they just… don’t stick…

Have a listen to this episode of the System to Thrive podcast

“I’m going to pretend I’m in an Airbnb,” I declared to Tom.

And it worked! Despite staying at home, we had a glorious week off during which I did zero work and ignored all the pesky jobs that needed doing around the house.

I know how fortunate I am to be safe, secure and in a position to take a proper break, and I don’t take that for granted. Times are tough for many people right now, and even when things are going well the thought of taking time away from work - without checking email and social media - can feel impossible.

Because back when I spent a few days a week getting covered in paint and making a mess, I used to be quite good at drawing and painting. And now I’m not.

And the idea of creating something that’s not very good (or not as good as I know I’m capable of)?

No thank you.

That’s WAY too confronting and uncomfortable. So I’ll just leave the paints in the box, thank-you-very-much.

I just did a quick headcount, and realised I had to one-to-one conversations with fifteen humans last week, which for this introverted soul is unheard of!

Want to know how I juggled taking action on an exciting project and navigating a very full week without losing the plot or burning the candle at both ends?

Here’s a quick behind-the-scenes snapshot for you, so you can see that it doesn't have to be complicated - all it takes is a little planning…

Diary management. Sexy, eh?!

I know it’s not the most exciting of subjects, but get it wrong and it can lead to all kinds of kerfuffle.

For example…

Ever realised you didn’t allow yourself enough time for a thing, and then spent the rest of the day (week? month?) frantically trying to catch up with yourself?

"If you haven't had at least two breakdowns you're not working hard enough." Can you believe that a manager would think it's ok to say that to a member of their team?

My mind was well and truly boggled when Hannah Power shared that with me. You'll be relieved to know that neither of us subscribe to that completely ridiculous - and VERY damaging - way of thinking!